The Influence of Defoliation on Plants

In the above section, the primary effects of defoliation were discussed. The way by which defoliation is done introduces some secondary (effects) factors which can be very important. Of the different ways of defoliation, cutting, grazing and burning are the most...

Leaf area, photosynthesis, respiration and NAR The photosynthetic capacity of the plant is mainly determined by the leaf area of the plant. An increase in the leaf area will cause an increase in photosynthesis, but if the leaves get too dense and start to shade each...

Artificial or cutting methods This is the mechanical defoliation of a plant with the hand or by means of a power-driven implement. In a case like this the intensity, frequency and season of defoliation can be almost fully controlled by man. Natural methods Grazing...

Three important variables will determine the influence of defoliation: Intensity The intensity of defoliation can be defined as the proportion of the volume or mass of the aerial portion or leaves of the plant removed by defoliation. There is a close correlation...

The production of animals depends mainly on the defoliation of plants. Plants and animals are dependent on each other, although a plant may be more self-supporting than an animal. The most obvious dependence is that of the animal on the plant. It is further important...